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Back to the Bricks 2016 Embraces Hundreds of Mississippi College Students


Mississippi College students enjoying last year's Back to the Bricks event.

Back to the Bricks always attracts hundreds of Mississippi College students to Clinton’s historic business district to rub shoulders with local merchants, enjoy free sweets and hear live music.

Activities planned for August 25 near City Hall will be among the cornerstones of MC’s 2016 Welcome Week. Move-In Day on August 20 kicks off the 2016-17 academic year for newcomers putting down roots that Saturday morning in residence halls.

Back to the Bricks remains the go-to place where memories are made and so are new friendships for the entire Blue & Gold family. The big event that Thursday runs from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

It’s a case of been there, done that for university admissions staffer Kaitlin McCarty. Back to the Bricks, she said, “does a fantastic job of introducing the new students of Mississippi College to the thriving city of Clinton.”

Combining a festive atmosphere with food pleasing all palates plus an army of Clinton business people, Back to the Bricks is one terrific event that shouldn’t be missed.

“It connects students with their new home the next four years,” says Kaitlin, a 2016 MC Hall of Fame member from Flowood.

It’s definitely friendly turf for cell phone photographers. It’s the best spot to picture Clinton Mayor Phil Fisher sinking his teeth into a vanilla ice cream cone, while greeting MC students.

Whether they’re freshmen or upper class students, Back to the Bricks is simply a cool place to be on a steamy summer day in the Magnolia State.

“This will be my third year at Mississippi College and this event remains my favorite,” says MC junior Hannah Kanengiser, 19, a psychology major from Pearl. “I always look forward to attending Back to the Bricks!”

Merchants with businesses like James & Leigh, a clothing accessories store, Posh and Molly’s, Brick Street Pops, Dot Products, Indian Lanes Bowling, Chick fil-A, and many more should be in the thick of the action.

Call it a nice team effort between Mississippi College and Clinton city leaders. Main Street Clinton partners with the Clinton Chamber of Commerce and City of Clinton to toss out the welcome mat to MC Choctaws. Members of the MC Choctaws football team usually stop by after practice.

As usual, Campus Dining, MC’s food service provider, will serve meals to hungry students.

Representatives of area churches will show up to let students know about ministry opportunities. Students will staff tables promoting the Christian university’s bass fishing, equestrian, archery and sporting clays teams. Want to know more about MC social tribes and civic groups? Students from those groups should be on hand, too.

But the Clinton business community is really going all out. “We anticipate 45 to 55 businesses participating,” says Tara Lytal, director of Main Street Clinton. “City Department heads will once again hand out ice cream treats to students at the city’s booth.”

Back to the Bricks will draw plenty of Mississippians plus loads of out-of-state students. “We expect another large new student class. That includes nearly half of the freshmen coming to town from out-of-state,” says Jim Turcotte, vice president of enrollment services and dean of students. He will help welcome newcomers to his vibrant community in Hinds County.

Other Welcome Week events include:

*August 20. New student/parent convocation at First Baptist Church Clinton at 2 p.m. Later on, Saturday’s Choctaw Fanfare on the Quad will showcase student-athletes from a variety of teams – from cross country to volleyball, and soccer to football. The two-hour event begins at 5 p.m.

*Sunday August 21, with MC freshmen invited to visit President Lee Royce and his wife, Rhoda, at their home, the Phillips House. The event begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m.

*Tuesday August 23 features an 8 p.m. campus worship program at Anderson Hall and a variety show starting at 10:30 p.m. at Swor Auditorium for late night crowds.

For more details on Welcome Week, call the MC Office of Student Engagement at 601-925-3830.